Pistons add G Gordon, F Villanueva
July 1, 2009
DETROIT (AP)—The Detroit Pistons wanted to add talent and get younger thisoffseason.
On the first day of free agency, Detroit did both.
Ben Gordon(notes) and Charlie Villanueva(notes) agreed in principle to five-year contractswith the Pistons, a person with the knowledge of the negotiations told TheAssociated Press on Wednesday night.
The person, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because NBA rulesprohibit announcing deals with free agents until next week, said Gordon’scontract is worth $50-plus million and Villanueva will make at least $35million.
The 26-year-old Gordon averaged 20.7 points for the Chicago Bulls, leadingthem in scoring for the fourth straight year.
He improved his market value by scoring 42 points in a playoff game againstthe defending champion Boston Celtics and averaging a team-high 24.3 points inseven postseason games.
Bulls officials had said re-signing Gordon, the No. 3 pick in 2004, was atop priority after previously failing to keep the former Connecticut star with along-term contract.
Villanueva, who turns 25 next month, averaged 16.2 points and 6.7 reboundslast season for the Milwaukee Bucks. He went from being a restricted free agentto an unrestricted one when Milwaukee chose to not make him a qualifying offer.
The Toronto Raptors drafted Villanueva No. 7 overall out of Connecticut in2005 and traded him to Milwaukee after his rookie season when he averaged 13points, 6.4 rebounds and was on the All-Rookie team.
Detroit desperately needed to make a splash this offseason, entering it withnearly $20 million in salary-cap space and coming off its worst season inseveral years.
The Pistons had a lot of money to spend because Rasheed Wallace(notes) and AllenIverson(notes) had expiring contracts. The franchise wanted to infuse the roster withfresh options after breaking up a group of players that won the 2004 NBA titleand advanced to six straight conference finals.
Detroit was swept by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round this season,mercifully ending a miserable season that soured as soon as All-Star point guardChauncey Billups(notes) was dealt to Denver for Iverson and his cap space.
Michael Curry, who struggled as a rookie coach in a tough situation, wasfired Tuesday and might be replaced by Avery Johnson, Doug Collins or JohnKuester by this weekend.
Detroit’s fifth coach in nine seasons will potentially have an interestingdecision to make if the roster remains intact.
While the 6-11 Villanueva can easily slip into the starting lineup, the6-foot-3, 200-pound Gordon does not seem to have a spot secured.
Gordon likely has to replace leading-scorer Richard Hamilton(notes) at shootingguard or come off the bench behind him.
Gordon was voted the NBA’s top reserve in 2005 and if he accepts that roleagain, the Pistons would have an intriguing three-guard rotation with him,Hamilton and Rodney Stuckey(notes).
Gordon or Hamilton may a problem with coming off the bench and the nextcoach could have to deal with poor chemistry just as Curry did.
If the Pistons have enough money—and talent—to re-sign Antonio McDyess(notes),one of the most likable players in the league can help them cope with issues onand off the court.
McDyess, though, is a free agent with plenty of options.
“We are in the process of evaluating our options and will make a decisionshortly,” McDyess’ agent, Andy Miller, wrote in a text message to the AP.
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